Seizure or child abuse?

Abstract

More child abuse cases are reported in Peru every year; however, there is no official report that describes the actual incidence, especially of the most vulnerable population such as infants. Signs of physical abuse generally involve brain injury and constitute shaken baby syndrome or pediatric abusive head trauma, which is a challenging diagnostic challenge. A 3-month-old infant is admitted to the emergency room for 30-minute generalized tonic-clonic seizures. On physical examination, the presence of a bony callus on the right clavicle was striking. A brain tomography and magnetic resonance imaging were performed, showing hyperintense lesions in the white matter, non-contrast enhancers, limited diffusion, and a bilateral subdural collection. Together, a bone survey was taken, which revealed multiple fractures in different areas of the body and suspecting the case of child abuse, so the relevant authorities (medical and judicial) were notified. Currently, the infant is in the custody of the Child Protection Unit, pending the definition of her final custody.

Keywords

• child abuse
• shaken baby syndrome
• pediatric abusive head trauma